Russell Coleman Sr.

Russell Coleman Sr., passed away Friday, June 24, 2016, in his Florida home due to complications of a long standing respiratory illness. He was 63. Russell was born in Rock Hall, MD, the son of the late Wesley and Frances Coleman (Merle). He graduated from Rock Hall High School in 1973, and then went to work as a waterman on the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually he went to work as a boiler operator for NVF Company in Delaware where he worked for over 20 years. He then went to work for Christiana Care Health Systems as a power plant operator where he retired after 10 years. Russell will be remembered by his children as a blue collar, hard worker who was known as an excellent provider who made many sacrifices for his eight children. His family was his life and he cared deeply for all his children. “I can’t remember my dad ever missing a day of work in his life,” one of his son’s said, “and we know that he did it for his family. That means so much to us and now that I have children of my own, I can appreciate it even more. We want him to know how proud we were for the sacrifices he made.” Along with spending time with his family, Russell also enjoyed bowling, fishing, and riding motorcycles. In addition to the mother of his children, Loretta Hardy Sutton, he is survived by eight children, Melanie Coleman of DE, James Coleman of FL, Russell Coleman Jr. and wife Ruth of CT, Justin Coleman and wife Lindsay of AL, Travis Coleman and wife Shannon of NJ, Daniel Coleman and wife Cassie of LA, Autumn Chaney and husband Dylan of WV, Samuel Coleman and wife Megan of GA; fifteen grandchildren, Savanna, Jacob, Joshua, Nicholas, Caitlin, Conor, Kyla, Peyton, Lainie, Caden, Faith, Colby, Wyatt, Thor, and Easton. Russell is also survived by his twin brother, Wesley Coleman and wife Clara (Cooley) of TN; his sister, Virginia “Ginny/Sis” Simns (Coleman) of MD; his sister, Edna Mae Morris (Coleman) and husband Charles “Hap” of MD; and sister, Peggy Hepbron (Coleman) and husband Richard of DE. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert Coleman and Fes “Sonny” Coleman. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the American Lung Association for the study of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Disease, American Lung Association Donation Processing Center, P.O. Box 7000, Albert Lea, MN 56007-8001.

Russell Coleman Sr.

December 9, 1952 - June 24, 2016